A grand jury in Arizona indicted a teenager on terrorism charges, alleging he planned to attack participants at the Phoenix Pride Festival, authorities said Wednesday.
The 17-year-old was indicted by a Maricopa County grand jury on one count of terrorism and one count of conspiracy to commit terrorism, both felonies, according to a statement from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
The suspect, who will be tried as an adult, allegedly acquired materials to make an explosive device, prosecutors said.
Between Nov. 1, 2023, and May 31, 204, the teen discussed in online chat rooms the materials needed to make an improvised explosive device and had the supplies shipped to him, prosecutors said.
The teen, prosecutors said, discussed his intention to make an “unstable explosive that can propel shrapnel and other dangerous items outward, causing serious injury or death to people in the area.”
In addition to the suspect, the indictment references “Juvenile A” and other “unnamed co-conspirators.”
The pride festival occurred last weekend.
The indictment said the suspect’s motive for the planned attack was to “further the goals” of the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS.
He is being held in jail on $1 million cash-only bond, prosecutors said.
It was not immediately clear if he had retained an attorney. Personnel with the county’s public defender’s office were not immediately reached Wednesday night.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell thanked investigators and law enforcement partners. “It takes a tremendous amount of cooperative work by law enforcement to develop a lead, locate a suspect, interrupt an attack, and make an arrest before a tragedy could happen,” she said.
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